Cally Road’s most promising emergent Tom Tripp has just dropped his debut EP, titled RED, featuring List Picks ‘Aurelia’ and ‘Pamela’, plus four brand new additions. The forty-one second introduction pays homage to traditional Nigerian music and ‘80s pop, the essential points of reference for this young artist. ‘Stand’ builds on these retro influences, particularly honing in on the sound of Michael Jackson and it’s modern R&B (think The Weeknd) that comes to the fore in ‘One Day’. The cross section between the past and present is ‘So Shy’. Laptop beats are interwoven in ‘80s funk lines while Tripp’s melodious voice floats over the top, presenting his love for the shy girl. It’s a sensual sip that pushes the Londoner’s sound beyond the DIY bedroom/studio space and onto that radio and playlist-ready platform. - HT